This study was carried out in two medical facilities in Enugu, Nigeria, from September to November 2007. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from HIV-positive pregnant women accessing PMTCT (prevention of maternal-to-child transmission) services at the two centres. Ninety-two women were interviewed: 89 (96.7%) had disclosed their status, while 3 (3.3%) had not. Of the 89 women who had disclosed, 84 (94.4%) had disclosed to partners, 82 (92.1%) to husbands, 2 (2.2%) to fiancés, 18 (20.2%) to sisters, 13 (14.6%) to mothers, 10 (11.2%) to brothers, 10 (11.2%) to fathers and 10 (11.2%) to priests. Fifty-two (58.4%) gave emotional support as the reason for disclosure and 46 (51.7%) gave economic and financial support as reasons. Fifty-six (62.9%) reported understanding from partner as a positive outcome and 44 (49.4%) reported financial support. Forty-six (51.7%) reported no negative outcome. Serostatus disclosure rate in this study was high with most women disclosing to their partners.

The objective of this study was to assess the attitude of men in Nigeria towards vasectomy as a method of family planning. This was a cross-sectional study, using self-administered pre-tested questionnaires containing mainly close-ended questions. The questionnaires were given to 146 randomly selected men. The responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Ten (6.8%) may accept vasectomy with the knowledge they have while 130 (89.0%) will not. Eighty-eight (67.7%) believe sterilization procedures should be left for women only. Vasectomy was viewed as castration by 55 (40.7%). Forty-three (31.2%) may consider vasectomy if they understand that it is not associated with problems, 82 (59.4%) refused while 13 (9.4%) did not know if they would ever accept the procedure. There was a lack of knowledge of vasectomy and attitudes towards it were based on myths and misconceptions regarding the procedure; some may accept it if they understand the safety of it. Interestingly, level of education does not improve vasectomy uptake. A concerted effort to involve men in reproductive health is needed. Interpersonal communication and counseling will greatly improve vasectomy uptake in developing countries.

BackgroundPrenatal gender disclosure is a nonmedical fetal ultrasonography view, which is considered ethically unjustified but has continued to grow in demand due to pregnant women’s requests.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the proportion of primigravidae who want prenatal gender disclosure and the reasons for it.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study of randomly selected primigravidae seen at Enugu Scan Centre. The women were randomly selected using a table of random numbers.ResultsNinety percent (225/250) of 250 primigravidae who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in this study wanted to know the gender of their unborn baby, while 10% (25/250) declined gender disclosure. Furthermore, 62% (155/250) of primigravidae had preference for male children. There was statistically significant desire for male gender (P=0.0001). Statistically significant number of primigravidae who wanted gender disclosure did so to plan for the new baby (P=0.0001), and those that declined gender disclosure “leave it to the will of GOD” (P=0.014).ConclusionNinety percent of primigravidae wanted gender disclosure because of plans for the new baby, personal curiosity, partner and in-laws’ curiosity; moreover, some women wanted to test the accuracy of the findings at delivery and 62% of primigravidae had preference for male children. In view of these results, gender disclosure could be beneficial in this environment.

Objective:To compare the outcome of subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia) and general anesthesia in Cesarean delivery for women with severe pre-eclampsia.Methods:A retrospective study of women with severe pre-eclampsia requiring Cesarean section from January 2005 to June 2009 was carried out. Maternal age, parity, gestational age at delivery, booking status, Apgar scores, maternal and perinatal mortality of the sub-arachnoid block group were compared with those of general anesthesia group using χ2, Student t-test and Fischer exact test.Results:There were no significant difference between the two groups in overall maternal mortality (5.4% vs. 11.9%, P=0.5) and perinatal mortality (2.7% vs. 11.9%, P=0.15). The general anesthesia group had significantly more birth asphyxia than the spinal group (55.9% vs. 27.0%, P=0.0006).Conclusion:There was no significant difference in the maternal and perinatal mortality outcome of cesarean delivery between women with severe pre-eclampsia who had regional anesthesia and those that had general anesthesia. There was significantly higher proportion of birth asphyxia in babies of women who received general anesthesia.

An unsuccessful trial of VBAC could have significant adverse effects on women, especially on those who have never given birth vaginally. Adequate antenatal education for women planning a trial of VBAC, postdelivery support following an unsuccessful trial of VBAC, and research aimed at expanding the options available to women as they are attempting VBAC are recommended.